What should a dental assistant do first when the tubehead drifts?

When a dental assistant observes that the tubehead is drifting, the first step should be to stop using the machine. This is critical for ensuring the safety of both the patient and the staff. If the tubehead is not properly secured, there is a risk that the exposure may not be focused correctly on the area of interest, leading to poor-quality images or potential overexposure to radiation.

Ceasing operation allows for an immediate assessment of the issue, enabling the dental assistant or radiology staff to secure the tubehead properly and ensure that all safety protocols are being followed. Addressing the mechanical issue before proceeding is vital to maintaining a safe working environment and upholding radiation safety standards.

Options involving asking a patient or family member to hold the tubehead can introduce hazards as these individuals are not trained to manage the equipment and could be exposed to unnecessary radiation. Similarly, attempting to quickly expose images while the tubehead is not secure would compromise safety and diagnostics. Thus, stopping the use of the machine is the appropriate immediate response.